The Salisbury Liberal Democrats have reacted to the government’s plans to overhaul NHS dentistry, calling it “too little too late” and labelling Salisbury a “dental desert”.

In the criticism of the government’s plans, the party cited data from the House of Commons Library revealing that 76,611 children in Wiltshire (44.2 per cent) had not been seen by a dentist in the 12-month period leading up to June 2023.

The same data showed that 61.5 per cent of adults had not been seen by a dentist in the two years leading up to June 2023, equating to 411,369 people.

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As of Monday, February 12, the NHS’ online “Find a dentist” service shows the nearest dentists to Salisbury accepting new NHS patients are in Southampton.

Liberal Democrat candidate for Salisbury, Victoria Charleston, said: “The government’s plans are too little too late for local families who have been left waiting in pain, struggling to get a dentist appointment.

“It is appalling that so many children in our area are struggling to see an NHS dentist when they need to. This is the effect of living in a dental desert where the NHS website advises Salisbury residents looking to register with the NHS that the nearest dentist is in Southampton. It is shocking that tooth decay is now the most common reason children are admitted to UK hospitals.

“Instead of half-baked reforms, we need a proper rescue package for dental healthcare. That means guaranteeing access to an NHS dentist for everyone needing emergency care, boosting the number of appointments and removing VAT on children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste.”